Foundation digital portfolio

In order to further assess your suitability for the BA Architecture with foundation year course, we would like you to submit a digital portfolio.

What should I include in my digital portfolio?

Include your strongest work and organise your portfolio so it is easy to navigate. Clearly label each piece with its project title.

Task 1: Visual portfolio

Submit a portfolio of up to nine original artworks, all created by you. You may include work produced at college and are free to use any media, materials, or styles. The aim is to demonstrate your artistic ability, creativity, and range across different forms of visual expression.

Examples include:

  • Drawings
  • Sketches
  • Paintings
  • Watercolours
  • Pastels
  • Collages
  • Illustrations
  • Graphics
  • Photographs
  • Ceramics
  • Sculpture
  • Models

If you do not already have suitable artwork, you may respond to the optional brief below.

Optional brief

Using your own artwork, show what is interesting and distinctive about your home and neighbourhood. Represent the places, people, buildings, streets, parks, or other features that help define where you live. Use up to nine original pieces and be as creative as possible, demonstrating variety in media and approach.

Task 2: Written statement

  1. Why do you want to study at the Manchester School of Architecture? (maximum 150 words).
  2. Describe a work of architecture you would like to experience in person (maximum 300 words).
  3. Name a favourite architect and explain what you admire about their work (maximum 150 words).

Submission

Combine your visual portfolio and written statement into one PDF document and upload it through Manchester Self-Service.

How to prepare your file

To submit your portfolio file please follow these instructions:

  • When you have constructed your portfolio, check to make sure that it is correct and that all the images and information can be viewed clearly.
  • The maximum pdf file size of your portfolio should be 20mb.
  • Title your portfolio with your 10-digit UCAS number (for example, 1234567899) and make sure you do not include any spaces, punctuation or symbols like [ ] or any non-standard characters such as accented letters or those from different alphabets such as Arabic, Chinese or Russian.
  • Please do NOT password protect your portfolio.

To upload your portfolio:

  • Log in to Self-Service using your university username and password. (If you have not done so already, you will need to complete IT Sign Up to obtain these details.)
  • Click the Tasks tile which will take you into your To Do List.
  • Select Portfolio and then Upload file.
  • On the File Attachment page, click Add and then My Device to browse to your saved PDF file.
  • After selecting this, click Upload and then Done once complete.
  • Select Portfolio as the Attachment Type.
  • Click Save. 

Please note that failure to submit the portfolio by the due date in your To Do list may result in your application being unsuccessful.

If you have any questions or difficulties putting together or uploading your portfolio, please contact msa.portfolios@manchester.ac.uk.

We will only use the information you send us as part of the admissions process for the Manchester School of Architecture.